CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks

MISSION

Our mission is to preserve the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and educate future generations on the impact of her immortal HeLa cells while promoting health equity and social justice.

HELA100: HENRIETTA LACKS CENTENNIAL CELLEBRATION

Honoring 100 years of impact. August 1, 2020, marked the 100th birthday of Henrietta Lacks, whose immortal HeLa cells continue to lead to some of the greatest scientific advancements of our time. Henrietta's family invites the world to cellebrate this momentous occasion!

HELA100.ORG is the home of The Lacks Family's year-long outreach and education campaign to honor Henrietta Lacks.

OBJECTIVES

Demonstrate how Henrietta Lacks’ “HeLa” cells contributed to scientific advancements and continue to impact modern medicine today from expert speakers and engaging content.

Facilitate conversations to honor Henrietta’s legacy, explore the importance of patient’s rights, advocacy, and access to innovations including clinical trials, genetics and precision medicine, while promoting health equity and social justice.

Create trusted partnerships with health, scientific, civic, advocacy, art, technology and academic leaders can educate and empower communities to improve outcomes.

Launch and mobilize partnerships for HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration,

a yearlong global social media and outreach initiative to honor Henrietta Lacks’ legacy.

ADVISORS

CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks is grateful for the continued support that our Advisors have provided to our family. Their passion and commitment to elevate the contributions of our grandmother, Henrietta Lacks, has been invaluable.

COLLABORATION

The IRIS Collaborative is proud to partner with The Lacks Family to implement HELA100. Since 2015, Shyrea Thompson, Founder & Principal of The IRIS Collaborative, has been a champion of The Lacks Family led efforts and is honored to provide pro bono services to support HELA100. IRIS Collaborators also proudly providing HELA100 services include JaiSauna Thompson, Falasha Zuend and Brianne Murphy. Click here to learn more.

A shared commitment to honoring Henrietta

The Centennial CELLebration is presented in partnership with Henrietta Lacks House of Healing and The IRIS Collaborative.

Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration Commission

CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks' plans will complement and support efforts by the Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration Commission, which was established by The Lacks Family to support the planning, developing, and carrying out of activities to honor Henrietta Lacks on her centennial. Commission members and media partners will be announced as confirmed beginning on August 1, 2020.

Learn About Centennial Collaborations

CO-FOUNDERS

As the children of Henrietta Lacks’ son David “Sonny” Lacks, Jeri and David Jr. co-founded "CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks" and The Lacks Family led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration to ensure that future generations recognize their grandmother's incontestable impact through education and dialogue. Click here to learn more about their work and story.

CONTACT

To learn more about CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks, for media inquires or to request an interview Jeri Lacks -Whye or David Lacks, Jr. email media@hela100.org.

MISSION

The Henrietta Lacks House of Healing (HLHOH) is a 501c3 non-profit that provides transitional housing, educational and health resources to combat homelessness, recidivism and facilitate re-entry into the community after recent release.

FOUNDER

As the child of Henrietta’s second daughter Deborah Lacks, Alfred Lacks Carter started the Henrietta Lacks House of Healing to ensure there are equitable opportunities in Baltimore for marginalized men and women in the very community Henrietta raised her children. Today, Alfred serves as the Founder & President of the Henrietta Lacks House of Healing. Click here to learn more about his work and story.

About CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks